NATO warplanes scrambled as Vladimir Putin unleashes 'murderous' hell on Ukraine
NATO chiefs have been compelled to scramble warplanes over Europe after a "murderous" onslaught by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The ruthless attack left at least 10 individuals dead and over 70 wounded in Ukraine's capital city, Kyiv. The devastation has resulted in at least 43 people, including six children, being hospitalised; meanwhile, others remain unaccounted for beneath the debris of demolished residential buildings.
Putin's armed forces did not spare other areas either—strikes were also carried out in Kharkiv, Poltava region, Pavlohrad, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Zhytomyr. In response to the ferocity of Putin's bombings across Ukraine, the Polish operational command made an announcement about its deployment of both its own and NATO's aircraft to secure the skies.
Officials released a statement, asserting that "Polish and allied aircraft" were now actively securing Polish airspace amidst the heightened aggression. They detailed: "Due to the activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation, which is carrying out strikes on targets located, among others, in western Ukraine, the operation of Polish and allied aircraft has commenced in Polish airspace."
NATO Air Command added to the growing concern with their statement that Swedish jets had been scrambled following the alarm, joining forces stationed in the area, including British RAF fighters, reports the Mirror.
Taking to social media to inform the public, NATO's Air Command shared: "For the first time under NATO's enhanced Air Policing Swedish Gripen scramble in response to Russian aircraft close to NATO airspace.
"Sweden are currently deployed to Malbork Poland alongside the RAF demonstrating seamless integration, safeguarding the integrity of Allied territory."
This comes as Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly due in Moscow tomorrow for peace talks, despite recent strikes resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
Trump had previously claimed Putin was ready for peace and criticised Zelensky for blocking a deal. However, the ongoing devastation in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities paints a different picture, with Putin deploying Tu-95MS nuclear capable strategic bombers and lethal drones.
Following these brutal attacks, Volodymyr Zelensky announced his immediate return to Ukraine, cutting short a South African visit. The Ukrainian president stated: "I am cancelling part of the programme of this visit and, after meeting with the President of South Africa, I will immediately return to Ukraine."
Zelensky highlighted that it has been "44 days since Ukraine agreed to a complete ceasefire". He added: "This was a proposal from the United States. Forty-four days since Russia continues to kill people and avoid tough pressure and accountability for this. It is very important that everyone in the world sees and understands what is really happening."
He also revealed that "Approximately 70 missiles, including ballistic ones. Almost 150 more strike drones" were launched by Russia overnight.
The Kyiv Air Force reported that Ukrainian forces managed to down 64 out of the 145 Shahed-type and other drones, as well as 48 out of the 70 missiles launched by Russia.
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